Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-06-16
cHlNA's LEGATION.
How the Representatives of the Chino,
Empire at Washington Entov r,t.

'''sSN ~ LENA IONs
now the Representatives of the Chinese
empire at Washington Enjoy Life.
lou can pass from the parlors into
Inc IN, library by going through narrow
'ttie hall. | have been in many libra
ries in my life, but can say that never
have l entered one exactly like this.
The room might almost be described as
an octagon, it has SO many little hooks
and crannies. There are odd-lookine
bookcases filled with rare and valuable
manuscripts and a number of cabinets
OF beautiful workmanship in which are
richly bound editions of the Chinese
classics. This room is the Minister'S
private office and strangers rarely have
chance to enter it. Passing still
further toward the back of the mansion.
we come to the ballroom, perhaps the
largest and most elegant in the city,
ana the scene Of some of the most bril-
liant entertainments ever given in
washington. Though the Minister is
not frequent entertainer himself, he
IS always ready to put his house at the
disposal of the society ladies of Wash.
lngton. Every season, however, he
gives grand ball, for which over a
thousand invitations are issued. The
last occasion of this kind is still fresh
IN the public mind, on account of the
behavior of the guests. There is still
another apartment well worth linger
ing in. This is the smoking-room
that heaven of the Celestial O.
every degree. 1t is luxuriously fur
nished with divans and mats ant
sofas and rugs of every conceivable
design and color There is not mucl
regard for taste; comfort seems to b,
the object sought after and certainly
gained. In large and curious cabine
you will be shown strange and varied
collection of pipes. 1t is little museum
IN itself in the matter of smokers goods
thought | saw substance that looked
like opium, but wont be certain of it
The smoking-room is the genera
iounging place of the house. Here yol
can find majority of the fifteen mel
who make up the legation at all hour
OF the day, smoking, DOING. drinkin,
delicious tea every half hour, and lead
ing, on the whole, a delightfully."- laz
life. In the evening they generally g
to the theater, of which they are pas
sionately fond. You can see them al
most any night in box, dressed i
their cool, loose-ftting costumes an
looking the picture of happiness an
contentment. Perhaps no one but tn
interpreter and translator can under
stand what is going on, but they d
not allow this small matter to interior
with their enjoyment of the play. The
applaud vociferously, but not Away
in timely manner. / remember on
evening, some time ago, sitting nea
them at the theater. During one c
the parts an actress on the stage lit
cigarette. She was evidently not a
expert, the smoke went the wrong wa
and she choked. The occupants of tn
Chinese box went off like apack of fire
crackers, the epidemic spread, an
soon the whole audience was in a roa
of laughter. The two hundred poun
Secretary of the Legation laughed S
hard at one time that l thought he Wa
going to have fit
The present members of the Chimes
Legation are very handsome, INTEL
gent body of men. Including the SER
ants, there are about thirty of then
and they seem to enjoy life like {
many children. The incidents of the
life in this country seem to have pc
feet fascination for them. They 90
the circus, to balls, receptions and din
ners, and follow, in fact, every form {
life with the most supreme deligh
During the social season they are faitl
full devotees of society, and prompt
return every call and rapturouslv a.
cept every invitation sent them. Take
all in all, the sum and substance
Chinese diplomacy in this country a.
pears to lie in the direction of havin
good time.
Chang Yen Hoon, the Minister, hoy
ever, is credited with being man
unusual ability. He is soldier by pr
fession, and for repeated gallantry
subduing number of rebellions in Il
provinces he was promoted first to Il
rank of Tas-tai Expetant, and the
made Envoy Extraordinary to Il
United States, Spain and Peru, whiC
positions he now holds. He is mu,
more dignified and reserved than h
associates, and is rarely seen in publ
He does not speak word of Englis
however, and whenever he goes out
accompanied by his translator and il
tcrprcter, besides a retinue of servant
in glittering livery. Washington Co
Chicago Herald.